SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Lady Techsters defense carries them to their fifth straight conference win, leaving them in sole possession of first place.
 
After two scoreless minutes for both teams, Alexia Weaver nailed a triple for the first basket of the game. The Lady Techsters would continue with that momentum, scoring the next five to give them an 8-0 lead midway through the frame. The Lady Bears kept the lead in check, scoring 13 points in the final five minutes to cut the lead to two entering the second quarter. Five Lady Techsters scored with Jianna Morris going 2-2 from downtown, marking her 22^nd game in a row with a three-pointer.
 
Both teams traded baskets through the first half of the second quarter. After the media, the Lady Bears strung together an 8-0 run to grab their first lead of the game 26-25. Louisiana Tech answered back, scoring seven of the quarters last 10 points, giving LA Tech a 32-28 lead entering halftime. Kaemyn Bekemeier, the leading scorer in Conference USA, only had three points in the first half.
 
The Lady Techsters bolstered their lead in the third quarter, outscoring Missouri State 17-11 in the frame. The Lady Bears would tide the game two minutes into the quarter, but a Jordan Marshall free throw would quickly give the lead back to LA Tech, one that would not be surrendered. The lead would balloon to as much as 12 behind the Lady Techsters free throw shooting and interior defense. Paris Bradley's inbound layup would send the game into the third quarter 49-39 Louisiana Tech. The Lady Techsters shot 9-12 at the free throw line in the quarter and only gave up one turnover.
 
Both offenses struggled in the final frame, with both teams scoring their least amount of points in the fourth quarter. Louisiana Tech's lead only fell under double-digits in the final seconds with MoState free-throws to send the game into the final horn with a 60-51 Lady Techsters victory.
 
Paris Bradley led the Lady Techsters in scoring with 20 points, shooting 10-10 from the free throw line. Jordan Marshall lead the team with eight rebounds while Joy Madison-Key and Alexia Weaver led the team with three assists each.

QUOTABLES
Head coach Brooke Stoehr
I'm really proud of this group's effort. That was a gritty defensive effort on the road in a tough environment. We challenged our post players at halftime, and they had a tremendous response. They forced difficult catches and did not allow their bigs to get their spots like they did in the first half. Our perimeter did a great job on #24 all night and was able to keep her off the free throw line. Jianna really set the tone on her early and whoever got switched onto her made catches and looks difficult. We got great contributions from our bench tognight at some critical moments. Joy and Isla gave us some crucial minutes and had some big plays for our group. Everyone contributed and that is what it takes to win on the road in league play.

Moving on to FIU
We have to turn the page quickly and be ready to handle a fast-paced offense and aggressive defense from FIU. We will have to be as good or better defensively on Saturday to stop two of the best scorers in the league in Collins and Atkins. It is a quick turnaround and our group will be ready for this challenge.
 
NOTABLES

• Jianna Morris made her first triple in the first quarter, marking the 22^nd game in a row with her scoring a three-pointer.
• Isla Airey had a +19 in only 13 minutes of play.
• Paris Bradley led the Lady Techsters with 20 points, her ninth straight game of double-figure scoring.
• The Lady Techsters are on a five-game win streak, their longest of the season.
• During this five-game win streak, the Lady Techsters have trailed by only a combined seven minutes of game time.
• Joy Madison-Key tied for the lead in assists with three, her second game in a row leading the Lady Techsters in assists.

UP NEXT
The Lady Techsters travel to Miami to play FIU in the Ocean Bank Convocation Center on Saturday afternoon. Tipoff is set for noon and will be streamed on ESPN+.
 
SUPPORT LA TECH ATHLETICS
Championships require championship resources.  Fans can make a direct impact on the success of LA Tech Athletics through LTAC, Aillet Society, T-Club, and Young Alumni program as well as the CHAMP fund, a revenue-sharing initiative designed to directly support LA Tech Athletics through NIL and marketing opportunities for Bulldog and Lady Techster student-athletes.  Visit BuildTheLegacy.com today.
 
BARK LOUDER
Our mission is to engage, develop, and advance the Louisiana Tech Athletics brand.  You can do that by spending time consuming our content and by investing your talents.  By barking louder with your time and talent, you can affect progress and brand advancement in a meaningful way.  Visit LATechSports.com/BarkLouder today.  You bark.  We bark.  Louder together.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in Lady Techster Basketball, follow us on X (@LATechWBB), Instagram (@LATechWBB), and Facebook (LadyTechsters).